The Big Picture: DOL’s Year in Photos

February: With a little help from Sgt. 1st Class Watts of the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army’s Parachute Team, Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training Mike Michaud "jumps" at the chance to show the department’s commitment to helping veterans get good jobs.

February: Joanne Hager, member of Laborers Local 563, holds up a sign that reads, ‘I pledge to #StartTheConvo for #minority and female tradespersons’ while attending the Regional Worker Voice Summit in Minneapolis. Hager joined the trades as an apprentice in 2008 at the age of 47 and became a journey worker in 2011.

April: Secretary Perez poses for a selfie with Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker behind the scenes at a rollout event to announce the department’s rule to protect retirement savings by reducing conflicts of interest.

April: Labor Secretary Tom Perez met with California farmers and employers as part of President Obama's Worker Voice initiative. The listening tour started at the White House, and continued to Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York and Austin over 2016.

May: Deputy Secretary Lu and OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels address a massive crowd during the third annual National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction at MGM National Harbor.

June: Following a Naturalization Ceremony at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu poses with birthday girl “Martha Washington” – on hand at the ceremony to celebrate her 285th birthday.

September: Claudia Gordon of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs poses with the Rio 2016 Paralympics Mascot while in Brazil as one of the presidential delegates to the 2016 Paralympics Summer Games.